Peaks
The highest summit of the range is Cerro Paine Grande, at 50°59′56″S 73°05′43″W / 50.99889°S 73.09528°W / -50.99889; -73.09528. For a long time its elevation was claimed to be 3,050 m, but in August 2011 it was ascended for the third time and found to be 2,884 m.
The best-known and most spectacular summits are the three Towers of Paine (Spanish: Torres del Paine, 50°57′09″S 72°59′23″W / 50.9525°S 72.98972°W / -50.9525; -72.98972). They are gigantic granite monoliths shaped by the forces of glacial ice.
The South Tower of Paine (about 2,500 m, at 50°57′33″S 72°59′42″W / 50.95917°S 72.995°W / -50.95917; -72.995) is now thought to be the highest of the three, although this has not been definitely established. It was first climbed by Armando Aste.
The Central Tower of Paine (about 2,460 m or 8,100 feet) was first climbed in 1963 by Chris Bonington and Don Whillans, and the North Tower of Paine (about 2,260 m) was first climbed by Guido Monzino.
Other summits include the Cuerno Principal, about 2,100 m but often quoted at 2,600 m, and Cerro Paine Chico, which is usually correctly quoted at about 2,650 m.
The radiometric age for the quartz diorite at Cerro Paine is 12 ± 2 million years. by the rubidium-strontium method and 13 ± 1 million years. by the potassium-argon method.
Read more about this topic: Cordillera Del Paine
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